In a thrilling climax at Lord’s on June 15, 2025, South Africa secured a dramatic five-wicket win over Australia to capture the World Test Championship (WTC) trophy. What unfolded on the field underscored the enduring appeal of Test cricket: intense drama, standout performances—like Aiden Markram’s crucial 136—and a testament to the sport’s emotional power.
However, as compelling as the final was, cricket experts and analysts insist the underlying WTC format is deeply flawed, failing both teams and fans. Critics argue the competition remains imbalanced, confusing, and lacking fairness.
Fixture Inequality and Points-System Controversy
A central grievance revolves around the uneven number of matches played by participants. South Africa reached the final after just 12 Tests during the cycle—far fewer than Australia’s 19 and England’s 22. Critics say this disparity makes qualification feel more like a scheduling quirk than meritocratic achievement. It’s especially unfair to nations facing top-tier opposition more often .
To adjust for differing series lengths, the WTC uses a percentage-based system. But this mechanism has been lambasted as “confusing” and opaque, even to insiders like former England captain Alastair Cook. Cook suggested a unified “world championship” table combining all formats for clarity and relevance.
Proposed Reforms: Fixes—and Fault Lines
To address these issues, reforms under consideration include:
- Expanding to a 10-team structure with promotion and relegation—as per proposals from Michael Vaughan and others, allowing dynamic movement between tiers.
- Standardizing series lengths: mandate all series to be at least three Tests to maintain fairness and comparability.
- Introducing bonus points for innings or series dominance and away victories, to incentivize attacking play and quality performance.
- League stage scheduling improvements: coordinate final round matches to reduce qualification leaks and ensure fairness .
- Potential playoff format: include a semifinal stage for the top four to amplify competitiveness.
A two-division format—being discussed at the ICC’s strategic level—could reshape the competitive landscape.ICC Chair Jay Shah confirmed the issue would be evaluated by their committee ahead of the 2025–27 cycle.
The Risk of a Two-Tier Game
However, dividing the WTC could exacerbate existing issues. Critics like former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd and ex-England bowler Steven Finn argue it would marginalize Test cricket in smaller nations—reducing revenue, exposure, and competitive opportunities.
Such plans might undermine the global nature of Test cricket and jeopardize its long-term sustainability.
Governance and Scheduling: The Bigger Picture
Beyond format, deeper concerns involve ICC’s governance and the international calendar. As one Reddit contributor pointed out, ICC lacks true control over scheduling—boards of India, Australia, and England dominate, leveraging franchise imperatives over national duty .
Fans and former players demand a more equitable system: independent ICC governance, standardized fixtures, and balanced broadcasting rights . Without that, even a revamped format could fall flat.
Final Reflections: A Crossroads for Test Cricket
The drama at Lord’s confirmed that Test cricket’s core allure remains intact—but the tournament’s structural issues must be addressed. The WTC format, as currently executed, is seen by many as underwhelming and unfair, risking its long-term credibility .
As the 2025–27 cycle approaches, the ICC stands at a pivotal juncture: it must implement meaningful reforms—whether in format, scheduling, or governance—to ensure the WTC evolves into a fairer, more engaging competition that honours both tradition and competition.
Only then can Test cricket regain not just its prestige but its rightful place at the heart of international sport.
